| Valentine's Day | Oshogatsu | Setsubun | Obon | Tanabata |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
False: In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day.
True or false: men give chocolates to women on this day.
|
New Years
What is the English name for this holiday?
|
February
Celebrated before the start of spring, this holiday is in this month.
|
Buddhism
Obon is a traditional holiday from what religion?
|
C) Star festival
Tanabata means
A) Sun festival B) Moon festival C) Star festival D) Earth festival |
|
False. Women often give chocolates to their male colleagues. This is known as "giri choco," or "obligation chocolate."
In Japan, Valentine's Day is only for couples.
|
False. New Years is a family holiday in Japan and most people travel home to be with their family.
True or false: In Japan, people go out to party on New Years Eve.
|
A) Evil spirits
The purpose of this holiday is to chase away
A) Evil spirits B) Bad weather C) Illness D) Death |
The spirits of our ancestors.
It is believed that whose spirits return on this day?
|
China
Where did Tanabata originally come from?
|
|
C) White Day
On March 14th, men give chocolates to women. This day is known as:
A) Red Day B) Blue Day C) White Day D) Black Day |
D) All of the above - people prepare for the new year by getting their house in order, preparing traditional meals, and visiting a temple or shrine on New Year's Eve (usually at midnight)
To prepare for the new year, it is customary to:
A) Cook B) Clean C) Visit a temple/shrine D) All of the above |
B) Beans
People throw roasted:
A) Fish heads B) Beans C) Marshmallows D) Vegetables |
D) Lanterns
Houses are decorated with what to guide the spirits home?
A) Colorful paper B) Pictures C) Bells D) Lanterns |
July or August
Tanabata is celebrated in what month?
|
|
D) $1 billion
This year, women in Japan are expected to spend how much on chocolate?
A) $1 million B) $5 million C) $8 million D) $1 billion |
False: many people stay up or get up early to see the first sunrise of the year.
True or false: People sleep in on New Year's Day.
|
A) Devil - "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" means "Devils out! Good luck in!"
People shout "oni wa soto!" Oni means:
A) Devil B) Cold weather C) Winter D) Bad luck |
August
Obon is celebrated in what month?
|
B) The milky way - Tanabata is the only time that Orihime (the weaver star) and Hikoboshi (the cowherd star) are able cross the milky way to meet each other
In the story of Tanabata, two stars are unable to meet because of what?
A) The Earth B) The milky way C) A comet D) The moon |
|
D) Themselves (61.8% of women)
-56.7% will buy chocolates for family -36% for a husband/boyfriend -35.2% for colleagues
Most women reported that they will buy chocolates for
A) Their husband/boyfriend B) Their colleagues C) Their family D) Themselves |
B) Nengajo - They include the traditional greeting "akemashite omedetou gozaimasu," and usually feature the animal of the zodiac
People typically send cards to friends and relations for New Years. These are called what?
A) Otoshidama B) Nengajo C) Jinja D) Otera |
D) Their age
People must eat the same number of beans as:
A) Members in their family B) Days in the week C) Months of the year D) Their age |
Their family grave site.
People travel where to celebrate this holiday?
|
D) Wishes - People write their wishes on colorful paper called "tanzaku" and hang them on bamboo branches
People write what on pieces of paper?
A) Goals B) Resolutions C) Regrets D) Wishes |
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